When I started the excerpt, I couldn't believe what I was reading! I was really surprised that someone could talk about something like that in such a matter-of-fact way. I immediately wanted to know more about what had happened - and about the alluded-to "others" as well. The red leaves on the cover of the book look a little bit like blood splatter, and I'm sure that was intentional. It's also very appropriate, given the subject matter.